# HMRC vs Barclays UK

The clearest difference is ads: HMRC at none against Barclays UK's shown. Barclays UK's advantage is review sentiment (62% vs 48%) and ratings volume (3.5K vs 604). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for HMRC against 4.9 for Barclays UK. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Barclays UK has 3.5K ratings behind it against 604, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 48% of HMRC's written reviews are positive against 62% of Barclays UK's.

HMRC ships an update monthly, Barclays UK every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HMRC | Barclays UK |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (604 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hmrc/id514561561/reviews) | **[4.9 (3.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barclays-uk/id536248734/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 604 | **3.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 47.9% of reviews | **61.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 34 MB | 441 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HMRC](https://appshunter.io/developer/514561564) | [Barclays Services Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/423841525) |

## What reviewers say

### HMRC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hmrc/id514561561)

Manage your taxes, benefits, and savings securely and easily. Check your tax code, claim refunds, and track your State Pension. Access Self Assessment and Child Benefit information, and find your National Insurance number.

**Highlights:** Quick secure sign-in, Check tax code and pay, Claim tax refunds, View State Pension details, Self Assessment payments, Manage Child Benefit, Find National Insurance number

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Straightforward payment process
- 💡 Useful information and updates
- 🔒 Secure authentication

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent login issues and app crashes
- 🤔 Confusing navigation and UI
- ⚠️ Lack of communication about tax changes
- 🕰️ Slow and unresponsive app

**Reported bugs**

- Endless login loops and redirects
- App freezing and becoming unresponsive
- Inconsistent behavior after app updates
- Issues with Face ID and biometric authentication

**Requested features**

- Improved notification system for tax updates
- Ability to view and manage tax details in-app
- Better integration with banking apps for payments
- More user-friendly design and navigation


### Barclays UK

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barclays-uk/id536248734)

Manage your personal, business, and corporate accounts on the go. View transactions, check balances, make payments, and transfer money. Securely store documents and find nearby branches or ATMs.

**Highlights:** Secure login with Touch ID/Face ID, Manage personal, business, and corporate accounts, View transactions and balances, Make payments and transfers, Delete Direct Debits, Set up standing orders, Barclays Cloud It document storage

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick and easy banking
- 🔒 Secure app
- 👍 Useful features
- 👍 Intuitive and clean interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🤖 Lack of support for international customers
- ⏱️ Slow response times
- 💤 Frequent app updates required
- 🤯 Frustrating setup process

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- App crashes frequently
- Inconsistent transaction display
- Cheque deposit feature not working properly

**Requested features**

- Allow international mobile numbers
- Add more money management tools
- Improve customer service and support
- Streamline login and authentication


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HMRC free?

HMRC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Barclays UK free?

Barclays UK is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HMRC or Barclays UK?

Barclays UK is rated higher. HMRC averages 4.8 out of 5 from 604 ratings, while Barclays UK averages 4.9 from 3.5K ratings.

### Do HMRC or Barclays UK have ads?

Barclays UK shows ads; HMRC does not.

### Which is updated more often, HMRC or Barclays UK?

HMRC ships an update monthly, and Barclays UK every 3 weeks. Most recently, HMRC was updated on October 21, 2026 and Barclays UK on October 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*